Rental Property Investor · Albuquerque, NM · Member since 2014 · 92 posts · 19 votes
We purchased a new construction home in Riverside, California, about 10 mins from the University of Riverside. We went through KB homes and hopefully close mid-July 2021. Any advice on the inspection and closing process? Should we hire an inspector? Or attorney? We have no realtor we went directly with KB homes.
Many will say that the building inspectors’ approval is enough for them. Hiring your own inspector is only $300-500. If that gives you a little more peace of mind, I’d say go for it. At least they can comment on the quality of work and point out anything that might need to be fixed or finished.
Many will say that the building inspectors’ approval is enough for them. Hiring your own inspector is only $300-500. If that gives you a little more peace of mind, I’d say go for it. At least they can comment on the quality of work and point out anything that might need to be fixed or finished.
Contractor · Denver, CO · Member since 2009 · 399 posts · 166 votes
5y
I would get it inspected. A brand new home is amazing but it is also brand new. No one is perfect and sometimes everyone, including the builder and the inspector miss something. There are a million things that could go wrong from a drywall screw penetrating a plumbing line to improper site grading, missing screens, doors/windows not opening correctly and on and on and on. Just count the number of items in a house from foundation to shower glass. Was everyone of these things installed with best practices... you hope so and you'd like to think so, but get an inspection. Won't catch everything and maybe just confirms that everything that is visible was done correctly.
I would make sure the builder has the Certificate of Occupancy (meaning the permit has been finaled) and ask them for an Owner training. (how and when to change filters, how to run the sprinkler system (if there is one), where is the water shut off? where is the sump? does the water heater need regular maintanence, what is unfinished that the home owner needs to take care of (grout/concrete sealing, fence stain/protection, etc.)